Pain Pain Go Away!

Wow, It's been 8 months since my last post! I have lots of stories to tell but I couldn't seem to find time until now.

Well, on with my story.....

During one of my Psychology class in college, I remembered one lesson we had. That when you feel pain, it's hard to concentrate. Well, that's what's happening to me during my monthly period. There were times when the pain is tolerable and I don't need to take any pain reliever. But there were also times when I need to concentrate on my work that I had no choice but to take one.

I ask for a halfday leave of absence today because of dysmenorrhea.

I wonder what I could do to prevent this from happening, so I could have a normal activity even when I have my period.

I searched the net and here's what I found that could help:

Treatment of Dysmenorrhea

For treatment of primary dysmenorrhea, most doctors prescribe antiprostaglandin drugs or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen. These drugs inhibit synthesis of prostaglandins, lessen the contractions of the uterus and reduce the menstrual flow. These drugs should be started at the onset of bleeding to avoid inadvertent use during early pregnancy and taken for 2-3 days.

Oral contraceptives are another alternative. By stopping ovulation and decreasing prostaglandin levels, they may eliminate cramps.

Treatment of secondary dysmenorrhea depends on the cause. Endometriosis is the most common cause of secondary dysmenorrhea. Depending on the stage of this disease and the woman's age and desire to have children, the treatment methods vary from conservative drug therapy (androgens, progestins, oral contraceptives and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists) to surgical procedures.

If the problem is adenomyosis, a hysterectomy may be necessary. Pelvic inflammatory disease may be treated with antibiotics. Uterine fibroids, fibroid tumors and pelvic tumors are often treated surgically. Cervical narrowing can be corrected with surgery as well.

Occasionally, an IUD (intra-uterine device) may be the cause, and if so, the doctor may prescribe antiprostaglandin drugs, and suggest removing the device and using another form of birth control.

Self Care

For relief of painful menstrual cramps and their associated discomforts, start with a hot bath. The water helps relax the uterus and other tensions that may be contributing to the problem.

Place a heating pad on your abdomen. The flow of heat can provide soothing, temporary pain relief.

Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise such as walking, swimming, running, bicycling, and aerobic dance may diminish cramping symptoms. For some women, exercise may inhibit prostaglandins or help release endorphins, the brain's natural painkillers.

Taking oral meds is a no no for me, so I guess I'll be following the self care method. :)

Breast Mass

Normally, a week before I have my period, I would feel tenderness on my breasts. Yesterday, something felt different particularly on my left breast. I felt pain and there was a small amount of discharge. I went to see my doctor to have it checked. There was a wound which caused the discharge but he also felt a small mass on my left breast. He told me to observe if its size changes and I have to go back for another check up.

Breast cysts and cancer is very common to women and its better to detect it on its earlier stage. It's also very important that all of us are well informed on how to deal with this sickness. To learn more about breast cancer, check it out here.

Tested Positive

Newborn screening is now being performed to babies immediately after birth. Just to make sure the baby is healthy and also to prepare the parents in case of positive results.

Yesterday was my nephew's schedule for another vaccine. It was also when my sister got the result for his newborn screen tests (my sister forgot about it). She was surprised to find out that Miguel tested positive for glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency! The doctor suggested that they take him to the National Institute for Health to have a confirmatory test. Most of the babies with this condition tested negative on the confirmatory test. We will not know the result 'til July 17. We all hope and pray that the test result will be negative. If he tested positive, he couldn't take drugs with oxidizing agents as this will cause him to have a certain type of anemia.

We are all scared but at the same time thankful that we had found his condition sooner.

Short Term Memory Loss

A month has passed since I was out of work. I should have finished my General Chemistry Book, but as of now I'm still at chapter 7. Aside from Laziness attacks, I have difficulty remembering things I have just read. It's so frustrating! It all started after my operation when I was in college. I chose to have general anesthesia so I would be asleep during the operation. After that I started experiencing short term memory loss. I blamed it for failing in Physical Chemistry 3. The reason why I wasn't able to graduate on time.

I really wanted to pass the board exam this time, hopefully 2 months would be enough because that's all the time I have left.

I did a little research on the causes of memory loss and how to deal with it.

Some of these causes can be:

• Blood Sugar

The irregular eating habits of people in the present modern age often causes people to starve themselves, thus leading to instable levels of blood sugar. Brains of people with low blood sugar levels gets groggy and sleepy leading to short term memory loss.

• Hormonal Havoc

Hormonal imbalance also leads to short term memory loss. During menopause, memory loss symptoms are often seen.

• Drinking and Depression Medications

Lots of people these days suffer from depression which is another cause of short term memory loss. People taking depression medications, as well as those involved in intake of excessive alcohol and recreational drug abuse, often face the problem of memory loss.

Natural Treatments

Depending upon the cause of memory loss, short term memory loss can be treated using mental exercises, herbal supplements, certain drugs as well as adopting a healthier lifestyle.

The most important thing is to keep your body as well as mind active to ensure proper blood circulation. Don't fall prey to the contemporary sedentary lifestyle and remain active in mind as well as body.

I can't let this stop me from taking the board exam. I'm scared but I have to face it and fight it.

Bitten

I'm still in pain right now, due to the 2 anti-tetanus shots and 2 anti-rabbies shots I had yesterday. It's because of that damn cat last Sunday at Fort Santiago.

Here's the story...

After our lunch last Sunday, one of my classmates in FPPF suggested that we take our group picture. I was standing under the shade when all of a sudden a cat bit me. I didn't even notice it was there. I don't know if I stepped on it. I was shocked! When I checked the wound it wasn't that bad, it didn't bleed so I ignored it because I wa enjoying our photography class.

By the time I got home and told my parents about it they immediately told me to go to the animal bite center near our place. It was a Sunday so I had to wait until the next day to go there.

I informed my boss what happened to me, and that I won't be reporting for work that day. I was accompanied by my father. When we got to the center they told us that they ran out of the anti-rabbies vaccine so they referred us to Pasay General Hospital. Aside from the anti-rabbies vaccine they had to give me an anti-tetanus vaccine as well. The anti-rabbies shots ( 2 shots) were injected on my back. The anti-tetanus shots which were really painful were injected on both arms. In fairness, there was no fever, only pain.

I still have 3 more shots of the vaccine. The second one I had today. Next, on Monday and the last one next month. I'm telling you, getting bitten by an animal is really expensive.

a sigh of relief

I've been so worried this past few weeks because of delayed schedule of my period. I was supposed to have my period around the 4th week of January but it never came. Not that I was expecting pregnancy as the cause of delay, of course not! I had delayed periods before but not this long.

This morning I felt a pain in my abdomen and thought it was only a need to flush out a few human wastes. I was surprised to see that my visitor that I've been waiting for so long has arrived. I never felt so relieved in my life. Last night before I went to sleep I was praying that if my period will arrive, meaning that everything in me is normal, I will take my board exam review seriously. I will of course after the pain go away.

I have thought of so many reasons why i'm delayed. Miscalculation, stress, and the worst, I might have a tumor or something preventing my period. But I came to the conclusion that I just might be so stressed out because I actually am. I've been thinking about a lot of things. The future mostly. Now that I feel normal again because of my period I will have to relax and just go with the flow. To stop stressing out. Of course I need to thank God later for the good news he had given me today.

Feeling Sick

I have a cold today and a fever as well. I already took medicine but I still don't feel any better.
I don't want to take a sick leave. I'm running for perfect attendance! I really hope this would all go away. I blame the cold weather...Grrgh!

Wensha Experience

BF and I usually go to fitness first for our spa treatment. This time we tried Wensha Spa located at Buendia in front of world trade. Kleng, BF's sister bought GCs at Wensha and asked him if he wanted us to try it. From what we've heard, girls are separated from boys at this spa. Unlike at fitness first, they have couple's room so we can be together. Nevertheless, we still went and tried it.

Upon arrival, we were given magnetic keys to our locker. The person who assisted us asked us if we wanted to eat first before having our massage treatment. The food is inclusive in the payment and the best part is it's eat-all-you-can buffet. You can eat before AND after your treatment. Since we're not planning to stay long we decided to have our treatment first before eating.

Bf was done with his treatment and was already finished eating when I arrived. By the way, aside from heavy meal that they serve they also have shabu shabu. While getting our second serving of shabu shabu, BF was surprised to see someone he know. What a small world. That person came all the way from Laoag and was here only for a business trip.

All in all the Wensha experience was great! BF and I were both pleased with our massage treatment. Far better than the ones we had at Fitness First.

FYI: The body massage treatment that we had only cost 630 pesos. Food is inclusive. You can eat before and after your treatment. You can also make use of their facilities like sauna, hot and cold shower, hot and cold jacuzzi. TV monitors are everywhere even at the jacuzzi area. Bathing suit, underwear or any type of clothing is prohibited in the jacuzzi area. You have to be naked (together with other guests). You can sleep after your treatment but only up to 8 hrs. They will charge you with the exceeding hrs.

For the good service that you get and for the price you pay, you'll surely come back for another Wensha Experience.

P.S. I wasn't able to take some shots at the spa because it was prohibited. Just check it out for yourself.

Low BP

Ou new nurse Jim was kind enough to monitor the blood pressure of employees who have a history of heart problem or those who are at risk of having one. I'm one those people who he monitor but not because of high BP but the other way around. My normal BP is 90/60. Yesterday it went down to 80/60. Normally you will feel sleepy when you have low Bp because you lack oxygen in your brain. I was feeling ok until I went home. It seemed as if all my energy was drained. I was really sleepy but I couldn't sleep. I was suppose to continue my review but decided to postponed it to get rest. This morning I felt worse, so I took a leave of abscence. I ate a lot of veggies today hoping it would help. I'm feeling a lot better now. I'll just take this day off to relax. BF will be coming home today. Hope the weather will get better. It's raining since this morning.

For more infos on Low Blood Pressure click here.

Feeling Sick..

Before I begin my post about my sickness, I would like to say something first about what happened to me last Valentine's Day.

My co-qc and I planned to have a group date at Ason's resto. On the way there, we were met up with super heavy traffic. Everyone seems to be going to manila. Since there was the slightest chance that we could get there before 9, we all agreed to change the venue to alabang. Of course I was sad because it meant that I would not see my bf. But we have no choice so I just informed him that there had been a change of plan. We ate at North Park, ordering the usual dishes. I got home almost midnight because we had to wait for the bus ,which unluckily for us was waiting for more passengers. What made my day were the gifts my bf gave me. a pack of hershey's kissables chocolate, Eng Bee Tin's Hopia Baboy (Hopia love me too?!) and two fake roses with teddy bear (para hindi daw malanta *LOL*).

Now for my post...

I woke up this morning feeling sick. I have a mild fever, colds and sore throat. I wanted to take an absent but my co-qc staff informed me that he wasn't going to work. So that left me no choice. I drank my meds and went to work. I am the only qc present here. My Japanese boss is here doing his reports. Our QC Manager is also absent. My agenda and my reason for going to work today is to finish my dry color production and my color matchings. Since nobody else is here, I had to make formulations and check the colors that were produced yesterday. Haay Buhay...Sira ang agenda..hehe..It's a good thing na rin siguro na wala si Mam Wins kasi I wouldn't be able to blog if she's here because I am using her computer. hehehe...

I'm feeling better na but i'm not taking chances. I will drink another dose of meds before going home. Kukupit ako sa clinic *LOL*. Our nurse is not on duty today.

I hate having colds talaga. With it comes difficulty in breathing, ubusan ng tissue and a possibility of having pimples below my nose because of excessive wiping of sipons..yuck!

Hope to get better soon. Water therapy muna ako ngayon...

4G

About a month ago, as I was scanning channels on tv searching for something to watch, I came upon this radio show. Yes, a radio show on tv. Apparently, DZMM also broadcast their radio shows on cable tv. The show that time was about health. There was a resident doctor there who can answer any inquiry you have on health. Free consultation ika nga. That time they were endorsing this new food supplement called 4G. They said it was already a complete food supplement. It is called 4G mainly because all of its contents starts with the letter G.

• Garlic - Even Louis Pasteur, who discovered penicillin, recognized the anti-bacterial powers of garlic back in 1858. And during World War One surgeons regularly used garlic juice to stop wounds turning septic. Most of the modern research on garlic has concentrated on its ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as offering protection against strokes and heart disease. Scientists have also looked at the role garlic plays in helping prevent the formation of blood clots. While garlic is gathering a reputation for helping to maintain a healthy heart, regular amounts of garlic seems to also help the body fight off infections.

• Ginseng - For centuries, ginseng has been used as an energy tonic by the Chinese, who continue to use it for this purpose even today. In the western world, ginseng is being studied for a number of purposes, from treating stress to increasing levels of alertness and mental clarity. Many studies have shown that ginseng is able to reduce levels of stress in both men and women. In many clinical studies of the herb’s effects, those taking regular ginseng supplements were able to withstand higher levels of emotional and physical stress than those who had never taken the herb. In addition to its traditional role as stress fighter, ginseng has shown great promise at reducing fatigue, increasing memory and even fighting off colds, flu and other infections.

• Grapeseed Extract - Taking grape seed extract can help improve blood circulation, which help prevent leg cramps, diabetes complications, varicose veins, numbness in the extremities, muscular degeneration, cataracts and impotence. Because most of these health conditions more commonly occur and are severe among the elderly, grape seed extract can be especially beneficial to them. Grape seed extract is also believed to partially block the release of prostaglandin, the substance responsible for causing pain and inflammation in disorders such as endometriosis. Grape seed extract is commonly used as an ingredient in European facial creams. When used as a topical ointment, grape seed extract is believed to help maintain the skin’s elasticity.

• Ginkgo Biloba - Ginkgo is well recognized for its positive effect on brain functioning - enhancing memory, mental alertness and reducing mental fatigue and lack of energy. As ginkgo works as a brain enhancer, it has obvious benefits for individuals who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Even for a healthy person, Ginkgo Biloba can help improve brain function by preventing and treating conditions of cerebral vascular deficiencies, where there's decreased flow of blood to the brain.

According to Dr. Rey (I think that's the name of the resident doctor on the show), this food supplement should be taken after dinner before you go bed. Because this supplement will make you feel sleepy. Also, it should not be taken together with other food supplement like fitrum or my marvel tahebo because our liver may not be able to sustain all that meds. But you can take it with liveraid.

I bought 15 capsules today to help me absorb everything that I will read for my board exam. I also wanted to take vitamin c but was not sure if it is ok so I asked the pharmacist, and she said it is ok. So tonight will be my first time to take 4G, hopefully it would work for me. Pahabol lang.. Another reason pa pala why I wanted to take it because I have a training regarding statistical process control this coming 3rd week of november. It's a pretty tough topic so just to make sure I will be able to understand and absorb it well, I decided to try 4G. If it works for me, i'll definitely blog about it.